The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

I know that my message will come to you as a surprise since I dont know
you in person or met with you before, but I am of the believe that you
would be obliged to come to my assistance after hearing about my situation.
I was, until recently, a Medical student of the University of Abidjan,
Ivory Coast West Africa.

I am the only Son of late Mr Frederick Ubanga. My father was a very wealthy
cocoa merchant based in Abidjan, the economic capital of Ivory Coast. He was
poisoned to death by his business associates on one of their outing to
discuss on a business last year.

When my mother died on the October 1987, my father took me so special
because I am motherless. Before the death of my father last year, in a
private hospital here in Abidjan. He secretly called me on his bed side and
told me that he has a sum of US$ 16,500,000 left in account in a bank here
in Abidjan, that he used my name for the next of kin in deposit of the fund.
He also explained to me that it is because of this wealth that he was
poisoned by his business associates.

1)I am honourably seeking your assistance to provide a bank account where
this money will be transferred to.

2)You will serve as the guardian of this funds since I am a Boy of 20 years.

3)You will make arrangement for me to come over to your country after the
money has been transferred to you.

I have plans to do investment in your country, like real estate and
industrial production. This is my reason for writing to you. Please if you
are willing to assist me please indicate your interest.

I am willing to offer you 15% of the total sum as compensation for your
effort/input after this successful transfer of this fund to your nominated
account overseas.

Finally if you have any question as regards this transaction contact me
through my private and secure email address so that I will send you
documents of this fund. Note that the confidentiality of this transaction
would be highly appreciated in replying soonest.